World War II Honoree

William Burton Powell

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Leavenworth, Kansas

Honored By

Christine S. Gatewood

Relationship

Daughter

ENLISTED AND ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE SEAMAN ON DECEMBER 23, 1942 AT NAVAL TRAINING STATION, GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS. COMPLETED BOOT CAMP THERE AND JOINED THE COMPLEMENT OF THE NEWLY COMMISSIONED FLETCHER CLASS DESTROYER, USS TRATHEN DD-503, AT SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. SERVED ABOARD FOR THE DURATION OF THE WAR IN THE AMERICAN AND PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS. PARTICIPATED IN EIGHT WWII CAMPAIGNS FOR WHICH HIS SHIP WAS AWARDED SERVICE STARS INCLUDING NEW GUINEA, NORTHERN SOLOMON ISLANDS, EASTERN MANDATES, BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO, WESTERN PACIFIC, LEYTE, LUZON AND RYUKYUS. EARNED THE AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH SILVER AND BRONZE BATTLE STAR, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND THE PHILIPPINE LIBERATION MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE BATTLE STARS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AS A SEAMAN 1ST CLASS ON JANUARY 2, 1946 AT THE NAVAL PERSONNEL SEPARATION CENTER, SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI.